The RMI was established based on the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Latvia, the direct successor of the pre-war Faculty of Medicine at the University of Latvia.
The Stradiņš' name is not a coincidence. Members of the Stradiņš family have had a significant influence on Latvia's public and academic life over the past century. The timely and highly professional activity of Pauls Stradiņš – one of the two professors of medicine remaining in Latvia after World War II, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Latvia – ensured continuity of the values, standards, and quality of medical education and built a bridge between the pre-war and post-war education and science of Latvia, as well as laid strong foundations for the establishment and development of the Rīga Medical Institute (RMI).
The first Director of the RMI was professor Ernest Burtnieks. Initially, there were three faculties – the Faculties of Medicine, Stomatology, and Pharmacy. Academic work was organized in 45 departments. Gradually almost all the hospitals in Riga and its surroundings and some ambulatory medical institutions were involved in study and research work.
On 30 December 1969, the Faculty of Stomatology moved to the new Stomatology Health Centre building in Pārdaugava, at 20 Dzirciema iela. On 30 September 1987, the first stage of the newly constructed RMI building complex was opened next door at 16 Dzirciema iela. 16000 m2 that is now the premises of the RSU, were gradually furnished to house more than 1000 offices, lecture rooms, laboratories, and administrative premises.
In 1990 the Rīga Medical Institution was renamed the Medical Academy of Latvia (Academia Medicinae Latviensis or AML), but in 1998 the Constitutional Assembly approved the new name – Rīga Stradiņš University. Within nearly ten years, the Medical Academy had turned into a university college, educating high-quality medicine and pharmacy, rehabilitation, nursing, public health, and social sciences. In 2002 the Saeima of Latvia adopted the law on the RSU Constitution.
In 2009 at 16 Dzirciema iela, the main venue for ceremonies – the Great Hall – was opened, thus putting a symbolic end to the development of the RSU as an independent and fully-fledged educational and scientific institution.
RSU is the only university in Latvia that has traditionally been closely integrated within the health care system, providing preconditions for Latvian medical institutions' successful operation. Currently, nine faculties at the RSU offer Bachelor, Master, and Doctoral degrees, professional and continuing education programs. Anyone, starting from a high school graduate to a Ph.D., can gain a new qualification, improve their knowledge, and contribute to the creation of new knowledge and technologies. The high-quality education provided by the RSU gains more and more popular among international students.
A modern, prestigious university, recognized in Europe and worldwide with a human as its principal value.
Prepare highly qualified research staff, support outstanding science, and effectively transfer technology to promote innovation and increase the global competitiveness of RSU.
Offer and implement comprehensive academic and professional education and research work opportunities in the following main sectors - medicine, health and social care, pedagogy, social sciences, and natural sciences.
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